Mikhail Prokhorov’s Goal for Brooklyn Nets is Making Conference Finals

When asked what he would deem a success for the Nets’ first season in Brooklyn, team owner Mikhail Prokhorov did not hesitate and set a goal of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. Per the NY Daily News: “A conference final,’ he said, adding that he’s not satisfied with just opening the $1 billion Barclays Center. ‘We are waiting for the ring first.’ The Russian billionaire then reiterated his goal of winning a title by 2015, as well as his punishment for failure: marriage. The Russian oligarch was in typical joking form. ‘I’m the most devoted guy for the championship to happen,’ said the 47-year-old lifelong bachelor. The Nets haven’t made the playoffs since 2007 and are tied with the Timberwolves for the worst record in the NBA over the last three seasons. But they handed out roughly $330 million in guaranteed contracts over the summer, highlighted by [Deron] Williams’ five-year, $98 million deal. They’re set to eclipse the luxury tax for at least the next three years. But unlike most NBA owners – and most owners in New York, including Hal Steinbrenner — Prokhorov said he’s willing to pay penalties. ‘It concerns me only to the level we can reach championship or not,’ he said. ‘That’s it. My (money) is still in very good shape.'”